Someone very dear to me has just gone to be with his mother near Indianapolis. He was on the road by 6 a.m. today, and made it to his mother's about 1 p.m. The roads were horrible. He was very tired, but he drove in spite of that because his mother needed him to be with her. Mama is 90 and so full of life. She has been a widow for over 60+ years. His mother has lost 2 of her children, and has only her son left. There was no question, he was going to be there no matter! The love of a son for his mother is a beautiful thing. Daughters and mothers just seem to do that naturally. But to see a son take care of his mother, even having had her live with him for many years, and that when she calls, he says, "Mom I will be there!" I will take you to the hospital. She was to have a new pacemaker put in. She needed him to be with her, but she did not want to "bother" him. His mother is not a bother. His mother is a true gem in his life. Today regardless of the ice and the snow and the winds, and being tired, and not having enough sleep, he took that trip many miles away so he could be there for her. As soon as he got there, she had made a big meal for him. Mothers are so loving and so caring. You know, you just have to eat a good meal! After they ate, he took her to the hospital and was up there for many hours until she could come home. He said when they got in the door, she was already telling him he needed to go Krogering for her, and handed him a long list of things so she could cook for him. You know a mother's love does not stop because you have a pacemaker put in that day, you have things to do -- you have a son to care for.
Mother's are wonderful, Sons are dear. It is a privilege to know that you have friends who love their parent as much as that.

I am planning a trip to Switzerland....well at least I am planning a "dream trip". I was looking at all the beautiful chalets to stay in, and the luxury spots of the Alps. The snow, the scenery, a time to get away and reflect on things, or maybe just to forget about my routine for a bit. It's fun to dream. It doesn't cost you anything. You can go anywhere you want. All you need is an imagination, and the internet, and you can go visit anywhere you would like to, and even see the rooms, and experience the excitement of seeing those beautiful places in the world.

The last 2 days I have lived in a world of glitter, sparkle, soft white fluffiness, and beautiful rolling hills showing a picture of nature at one of its most glorious times. We were in the middle of an ice storm, and snow storm. It came down for 2 days. We didn't even have electricity, and oh my goodness it was something. All I could do was look out my big windows in the kitchen, in my living area, and in my office, and marvel at the way the trees were laden with their glittering loveliness.

I thought you know, I want to go places and see the world, but I have the most beautiful place here where I live to see nature at its most regal.

I hope you are enjoying this day as much as I am. I am just thankful I don't have to shovel out or drive very much on the roads, and all I have to do is have my nose to the window and thrill at the picture of nature before me.

Winter in Ohio is very difficult for this transplanted Arkansan.
I grew up in Ohio, but spent most of my adult life in Arkansas, so I was very spoiled not having to deal with much snow. This winter we were told that we have had the heaviest snow falls in February setting records for snow fall. I guess that was to inform us.
But they aren't telling me anything that I don't already know first-hand!! How about you?

The utility bill, I scream everytime I open one. I now open it carefully as if it were a bomb. I usually have to sit down while opening the bill. But my favorite thing is, when you want to get your deposit back, they tell you that you have to wait a certain amount of time. My own money suddenly has become theirs.

When I get like this, I watch the old movie Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck with the horse and sleigh rides, and then it makes me happy and cozy again.

Tonight I went to one of the local school plays. It was a very interesting evening! Those kids just sung their hearts out, and danced in their little costumes. It was so cute.

As I sat there with my family, I thought you know this is what it is all about. Sitting here in a small town and watching these young people showcase their talents.

It made me proud of these kids (and I did not know any of them).
I was proud of them because it was apparent that they put a lot of time and practice into putting on this play, which is running 2 weekends in a row.

I was laughing with my sister and said I could never have gotten up like those kids in front of all of those people in the audience. I surely could not have worn those little costumes the chorus line had on. We just laughed and laughed thinking about how we are now.

But it really is important that these young people put the hard work into something so commendable, and that we go and encourage them for doing this.

The play was Crazy For You. We left the school tonight singing those songs and happy that we spent a couple of hours being entertained by those wonderful kids.

One of my sisters commented to me one time that my decorating is a bit different, and that I really should not put primitive with lace.

But I like lace with my old teddy bears, and lace with my old 1865 Family Bible. I love putting an old lace runner on my antique roll top desk. I love the texture of old wood, and the softness of the lace against it. I like my Victorian lady picture with my newer bedroom furniture.

Seeing my father's old books lined up on the hutch he made for me many years ago with those lace runners and doilies are just so comforting to me.

Antiques and lace just seem to go together for me. It reminds me of the times I would go to my grandmother's house, and hear the old grandfather clock, and touch her old quilts, and textures of the old pillow slips she made for her couch.

I decorate my home with the things that mean the most to me. Things from the past. My parents antique table they set up housekeeping with that had been in my dad's family years before. My parents end table from their first home together in 1940. My dad's first handmade lamp, and his first end table he made. I love putting my lace over this piece that sits so proudly in my bedroom with one of my mother's old clutch purses.

Antiques and Lace, times gone by, yet very much in the present.